The following morning Bonnie awoke, her head clearer than it had been in a long while.
She looked to the side of her, expecting to see Damon, only to find his side empty. She'd be lying if she told herself she didn't feel a pang of disappointment, having grown used to her best friend invading her personal space on an almost twenty-four hourly basis.
It was the smell of pancakes cooking, and the faint excited chatter of children below that made her get herself out of bed with a smile. She walked out of the room and down the stairs into the lounge, the coven and their children around the Christmas tree, happily exchanging presents.
Damon entered the room with plates filled with pancakes and he placed them on the table.
"Some things never change." Bonnie smiled, walking to him.
Damon smiled, seeing her and he hugged her. "Happy Christmas."
She hugged back. "Happy Christmas."
"Come on. Pancakes are getting cold and these little parasites are gonna eat them all."
She laughed. "Children. Damon. Not parasites."
"Same thing." He smirked.
Bonnie rolled her eyes and sat down to eat her breakfast.
With the plates empty, the children went back to playing with their presents.
"I got something for you." Damon smiled, looking at Bonnie as she helped him clean up.
"You honestly didn't have to." She smiled back. "I got you a present too."
"I wanted to."
The pair washed and put away the dishes they'd used before heading back to the noise.
Damon picked up the small rectangular box and handed it to her.
Bonnie smiled and unwrapped her present, opening the box, and her jaw dropped. "Damon, I..." she trailed off, her fingers ghosting across the emeralds as though they would shatter if she applied any pressure. "It's beautiful..."
He smiled, watching her. "It's got a protection spell on it, so it will keep you safe when you wear it."
She looked up as tears filled her eyes. "Thank you."
"Hey, come on." He hugged her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing... it's just... no one has put that much thought into a gift for me before."
"I just wanted to give you something special."
Bonnie looked up as she felt a tiny hand tap her back.
"Are you sad?"
Bonnie smiled at the young boy and she shook her head. "No, I'm not sad."
"So why are you crying?"
"Cause I'm happy."
"Girls are weird." the boy shrugged and ran off.
The pair laughed quietly, watching the child run back to his friends.
"Kid, you have no idea." Damon smirked and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Bonnie looked up.
"If I remember right, you still have some magic to practice."
Bonnie smiled and stood up, heading to another room so she could retrain herself with Damon's help.
A few days later, the pair said their goodbyes to the sisters.
"Remember what I told you, Bonnie. Keep yourself grounded, channel your element. And don't try any more restricted magic." Gia told her firmly.
Bonnie nodded, once more feeling like a scolded schoolgirl. She didn't dare disobey her orders. "I promise."
"I'll keep the witch in check." Damon smirked. "Come on, witchy the open road awaits." He took her bag and headed to the car.
"Keep in touch, Bon." Belinda smiled and hugged her again.
"I will. Thank you for your help, and for letting us stay." Bonnie hugged back and headed to the car. She waved as they drove away.
"I sincerely hope she does not fall back into her old ways." Gia sighed softly.
"I don't think Damon would allow her to." Belinda spoke in a soft tone. "He seems to be very protective over her. I think he might even love her."
"I do know that she loves him." Gia agreed with her sister. "I sense that there is a deep connection with them, he seems to be her influence."
Damon looked over at the witch beside him, seeing her writing. "Is that for Elena?"
Bonnie nodded. "I know, it's stupid and-"
"No I wasn't gonna say that." He cut her off.
"I just wanted to tell her something good."
"I know you did. And you'll have many more opportunities to write in your journal to her about all the good things you achieved."
"You're starting to sound like Caroline." she teased.
Damon smirked at her. "Be quiet and go back to writing."
She giggled and dropped her head down again back to her book.
Three hours later, the duo hit Austin, Damon pulled up outside of a hotel and they checked in.
"I want to explore the town." Bonnie grinned.
"Come on then, Bennett." He dropped her bag and walked out with her.
